All posts tagged Comedy

Originally shot in both black and white and colour, Jour de Fête was only released in its black and white version, with some occasional splashes of colour which were applied by hand directly to the frames. Audience goers at the time had to be satisfied with those few frames until the film’s colour version was restored in 1995 (now both versions are available on DVD/Blu Ray). Eye-popping colour, however, was always present in the film’s posters, as seen here.

Jour de Fête follows Tati’s postman who, upon watching a US newsreel showing the efficient transport methods of the Us postal service, attempts – with hilarious results – to modernise his bicycle delivery service. A somewhat less cynical accompaniment to Chaplin’s Modern Times perhaps, in which the innovations of modernity for increased productivity are thrust upon the worker from without – and certainly with considerably less wine consumed. However, the results – hilarious or otherwise – are not dissimilar and a critique of the mechanisation of industry and its effects on the individual can be seen here also in the ridiculous effects these processes have. As human becomes more like machine, as Tati’s postman attempts to deliver a greater volume in a shorter time, as the wheels of his bicycle spin faster and faster, we are on the road to comedy-gold disaster.

Comedy is the hardest thing to recommend. What we find funny might make you frown. Or cry. And, indeed, vice versa. Recently, we have become aware of the number of films which are, according to their DVD sleeves, ‘laugh-out-load hilarious’. Concerned that there may be a few too many titles taking themselves a bit too seriously in the old funny stakes – but also thinking that, as we find them hard to recommend, isn’t it handy that they so strongly recommend themselves? – we thought we’d compile a list of those films which have been marketed as LOL. In listing these ‘hilarious’ films, we are neither giving our blessing, nor are we judging – much.